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Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 05-22-2018, 09:18 AM:

I would settle for this.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/kentucky-wildcats-basketball/2018/5/21/17376696/uk-jarred-vanderbilt-wenyen-gabriel-nba

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 05-22-2018, 09:32 AM:

Handy as I stated in another post, this would worry me a lot as Vanderbelt may even not play due to injuries all the time and Weyand is sometimes there and sometimes not.. Very weak if we ONLY get them back and no one else comes in to pick up the front court..

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 05-22-2018, 10:09 AM:

You're probably right but I would still "settle" for it. Having a couple of players back with a little experience can't hurt. I realize in Vanderbilt's case it would be very little experience. If he comes back and is injury free, there's the possibility he could be a real beast. In any case we would get back two players who play with real enthusiasm.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 05-22-2018, 02:21 PM:

I just shake my head at the thought that they won't ALL be back. I don't think any of these three kids would make an NBA roster next year. But then again, the fact that they're pondering leaving tells me they have no interest in college.

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 05-22-2018, 04:19 PM:

I think vanderbelt could easily make an NBA roster if healthy. Washington and Gabriela should both come back to work on their craft.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 05-22-2018, 10:33 PM:

It is hard to project how a returning player will perform. Some go into what used to be called the "Sophomore slump", where their performance dropped off; others blossom and grow better in almost every category.

I think Cal is betting Richards really blossoms next year. He does have "bad hands", but that can be at least incrementally improved with strength training and focus. He also does not possess 'elite length'; his wingspan and standing reach are not proportional to his height. But he has the tools to be a good "Cal" center -- mobile, athletic, and willing to stay in the low post instead of drifting outside. Honestly, I think the guards did a crappy job last year of feeding him the ball when he was in a position to score, but when the did toss it in to him, he would all too often bobble it and turn it over.

Green should become a leader on the court, and a very reliable guard. I really like his calm demeanor and court vision. And, he can drop the three to keep the defense honest.

Washington looks like a modern Charles Barkley -- undersized, but with incredible rebounding instincts and an uncanny ability to score in the paint. He may never do well in the pros because of his lack of an outside game, but he can be a damn good college forward for three more years. [Smile]

Gabriel, as Ed points out, is unreliable. One game he will drop 7 3-pointers effortlessly, and the next he will clang 4 out of 5 off the rim. He does bring energy and hustle, which can be contagious, but he needs to up his game in the paint, both offensively and defensively. He clearly has the green light to launch 3-pointers, but Cal needs to remind him that he isn't a guard.

Vanderbilt is an enigma. Dynamic and energetic, great passer, uncanny rebounder, good defender, but one of the most injury-prone guys I can remember. And he seems to have NO offensive game. That can change with coaching, but the injury thing is a huge question mark.

Of the three potential forwards, I would prefer to get Washington back. He was reliable and effective, where Vanderbilt was too often hurt and Gabriel too often ineffective. The combination of Richards, Washington, and the new big guy will make an great college front-court. If the backcourt can match it, we should be in the hunt again for a deep tournament run.

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 05-23-2018, 02:44 AM:

Well said tiptree.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 05-24-2018, 12:08 PM:

I don't think Vanderbilt will be leaving because he is still injured. He may need surgery I'm not convinced he will be ready to play....anywhere.